In late fall, some of our oleander plants become skeletons. The caterpillar resembles the Gulf Fritillary caterpillar. Do you know which one it is? It's pellitory time here in north Florida. Do you remember which butterfly uses pellitory?

It's a new contest! In January, we'll vote for the best 'odd place' chrysalis. Do you have a special photo of a butterfly chrysalis that pupated in an odd place? If you send it, we'll add it to a special page to share such humorous choices.

The 1,00th subscriber ... who was it? And who will be the 1,100th subscriber?

They're eating oleander - beautiful rich green plants turning to skeletons before our very eyes!

In areas where low temperatures have not killed these bushes, caterpillars are having a feast. People ask; what are they? Are they butterflies? How do I kill them?

They aren't butterflies; they are fantastic moths that look like wasps!

In our area of Florida, pellitory is growing again. A good host plant for Red Admirals, pellitory provides everything a caterpillar needs if it is somehow protected from hard frosts and freezes. Pellitory is found in nooks a crannies, where hard frosts won't kill it, in the winter in north Florida.

Teachers Butterfly Farmers Wedding and Event Planners Funeral Professionals

The Association for Butterflies (AFB) 2008 Symposium is scheduled for the first weekend in December.

Friday; Seminar for new butterfly farmers or want-to-be farmers. Learn the basics of raising butterflies in a larger operation.

Saturday; Farmers learn more about diseases, marketing, Monarch migration, and much more. Speakers are lepidoptera professionals, sucessful butterfly farmers, and more.

Sunday; A class teaching about butterfly releases. Learn the basics of releasing butterflies at weddings, funerals, and other events. How-to, safety, when to and when not to release, why they are shipped in coolers, and more. Centerpieces and decorations will be there for you to enjoy. At the end of this class, you will release your own butterfly and receive your 'Butterfly Release Certified' certificate from the AFB.

We can't resist. After seeing some of the photos submitted, this has to become a new contest. Send in your photos - we'll place them on this page and will call for a vote in another newsletter. Send your photo to edith@buyabutterfly.com. The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from Shady Oak.

The winner of the caption contest will receive a $20 gift card from Shady Oak Butterfly Farm.

The new photograph for the caption contest is of a green frog that was hanging out in the butterfly patch. If a frog could 'think', I wondered, what is it thinking?

Until next time, Edith, Stephen, Ester, Michelle, Christina, Rachel, and the gang